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FAQ Law Enforcement

Basic tax FAQs

Check our FAQs for quick answers to common tax questions. Due to IRS regulations, we cannot answer specific tax questions via email or over the phone.

If after reading FAQs, you are not sure if self-service tax prep is for you, send us a short but detailed email about your situation and we will evaluate whether hiring a tax professional would be better for you and give you an honest reply via email.

For technical issues or troubleshooting, please email us as well.
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Most questions are answered in our FAQs

Yes — starting with tax year 2025, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” created a new federal deduction for qualified overtime pay.
• What qualifies: the premium portion of overtime (the extra 0.5× in “time-and-a-half” above base pay).
• Deduction limits: up to $12,500 (Single) or $25,000 (Married Filing Jointly) each year.
• Income limits: phases out beginning around $150,000 MAGI (higher for joint filers).
• Payroll taxes: Social Security & Medicare still apply to the full overtime wages.
• States: Each state decides whether to conform — some may allow the deduction, some won’t.

How it looks on your tax return:
• Your W-2 wages (Box 1) still show the full overtime.
• The deduction shows separately as an “Adjustment to Income” on Schedule 1, Part II (Other Adjustments).
• This lowers Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) but does not change the wages printed on your W-2.

Yes. If you work off-duty security, traffic control, or similar jobs and get paid on a 1099-NEC, you are treated as self-employed for that income. That means you can deduct business expenses related to those side jobs, such as mileage, uniforms, gear, and liability insurance, on Schedule C from self-employment income not W-2 income. This is separate from your W-2 police income. See our FAQ section for off duty jobs / self-employment.

No at the federal level. Some states still allow it: AL, AR, CA, HI, MD, MN, NY, PA.

Not federally. Allowed in some states: AL, AR, CA, HI, MD, MN, NY, PA.

Not on your federal return as a W-2 officer. Some states allow it (AL, AR, CA, HI, MD, MN, NY, PA).

No federal deduction. Some states allow unreimbursed work mileage if not reimbursed: AL, AR, CA, HI, MD, MN, NY, PA.

No for W-2 federally. State level may allow (AL, AR, CA, HI, MD, MN, NY, PA).

Yes:
• Retirees can exclude up to $3,000 of health/dental/long-term care premiums from taxable pension income.
• Early retirement rule: penalty-free distributions starting at age 50 (instead of 55).
• Duty-related disability pensions may be tax-free.

As soon as you separate from service, with no 10% penalty (unlike a 401(k)). Income tax still applies.

Generally taxable federally. Some states (e.g., AZ, CO, IL, MI, NY, PA, WI) offer exclusions or reductions.

No federal deduction. Most states don’t allow it either.

No at the federal level for W-2. Some states may allow it: AL, AR, CA, HI, MD, MN, NY, PA.

Not deductible federally. Some states allow it: AL, AR, CA, HI, MD, MN, NY, PA.

Not federally. Some local or state programs may exist but vary by jurisdiction.

If line-of-duty, most times it is tax-free.

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You’ll get your maximum refund guaranteed, or your money back.

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LEAF Tax calculations are 100% accurate so your taxes will be done right, guaranteed, or we’ll pay you any IRS penalties.

LEAF Taxes — Eligibility Attestation (Nationwide) Applies in all 50 states

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Verification

 We routinely review employer names provided during tax filing. We will NEVER reach out to any employer for any reason or share any of your data unless directed by a court order. We take you privacy very seriously. However, if we see a name like Walmart as the employer, we may call or email you to clarify how you meet the eligibility test. If you refuse to or cannot provide proof of eligibility, we will no longer allow you to use our platform. We understand you may be a first-year employee in your field and may not have a W-2 that says the name of you employer. At worst, we will just call you or email you to verify you are eligible for our tax services and discounted pricing.